Chapter 2

WebDev123 · August 21st, 2012, 09:58 PM

Hello,

I purchased your book in the Spring and am starting a project at work on a website. First off, let me say that the book reads very well thus far and I'm excited to run through it. However, l was a bit "disappointed" because I thought that it would describe how to build Web Applications instead of just websites.

My impression is that Web Applications are more powerful and integrate better with databases, and that Web Sites are rather static, although I could be wrong. After doing some reading on MSDN, I'm even more confused about which one to start with. There are so many tempates!

With regard to the book progression, I will stick with the instructions of course, but my question is quite basic:
I have built a solid database in SQL Server. The webiste (or app) will simply be a mechanism to view, enter and recall database (size of 10 tables) information (via stored procedures, views and queries). With that, how do I identify which template to use?

Thank you.

p.s. I have Visual Studio Ultimate (x64 on Win7) at home still from school, but have only the VWD Express tool at work, if that factors into your response.

Imar · August 22nd, 2012, 03:19 AM

Hi there,

Quote:

My impression is that Web Applications are more powerful and integrate better with databases, and that Web Sites are rather static, although I could be wrong.

That's definitely not true. You can build the exact same sites using the Web Site Project template as using the Web Application Project. The difference revolves more around how and when code is compiled, team development, how it integrates with TFS and other source control systems and whether or not you need solution files. For a description of the two, take a look here: http://www.compiledthoughts.com/2008...n-project.html

I chose the Web Site Project as it's convenient for people new to ASP.NET. Because a WSP is simply a folder on disk, it's easy to get started or open one of the existing sites from chapters that come with the book.

Rest assured: *everything* you learn in the book (except for one or two exceptions) can be used in a WAP as well.

Quote:

With that, how do I identify which template to use?

It depends on what you want to do. The templates serve only as a starting point. Based on the article above, chose between a WSP and a WAP. Then if you want to start from scratch, choose the empty web site project. Otherwise, chose the ASP.NET Web Site template

Since templates are just a starting point, you can go from an empty web site to an ASP.NET Web Site or vice versa, simply by adding or removing files to your project / site.

In case you want to go from a WSP to a WAP, take a look here: http://webproject.scottgu.com/CSharp...igration2.aspx This targets an older version of VS, but the principles remain.

Cheers,

Imar

WebDev123 · August 22nd, 2012, 10:47 PM

Thanks for the thoughtful answer and links; that's informative and very reassuring because I didn't want to back myself into a corner right from the start.

Also, today I found a decent video that illustrates the two side-by-side, although I don't recall much talk about communicating with SQL Server. But, I would encourage anyone interested in this topic to view the 30 minute video.

http://www.asp.net/web-forms/videos/...cation-project

Imar · August 23rd, 2012, 02:40 AM

Hi there,

Thanks for sharing that video link. Very useful

>> although I don't recall much talk about communicating with SQL Server

That's because your choice of template does not affect working with SQL Server. Literally everything that can be done in one can also be done in the other. Stuff like data-bound and data source controls, connections, SQL builders etc. are all the same.

The choice between the two revolves around the technical implications of the project itself, not what you can build with it (except for the few exceptions such as ASP.NET Profile).

Cheers,

Imar